Tashi Dema

The National Assembly (NA) members yesterday decided to deliberate the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2020 this session but will do the third reading in the next parliament session.

Paro’s Lamgong-Wangchag Member of Parliament Ugyen Tshering said the law review taskforce recommended the amendment of the Anti-Corruption Act of Bhutan 2011 and the good governance committee was assigned with the responsibility. “We have consulted the Anti-Corruption Commission officials more than three times.”

He said the Act needs amendment and it would help in deterring corrupt practices in the society and would also ensure effective and efficient functioning of the commission in providing public services and enhance people’s welfare. About 39 sections of the Act will be deliberated for amendment.

Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel asked the good governance committee to work for the third reading.

Panbang MP Dorji Wangdi, who is a member of good governance committee, asked if the third reading of the bill would be done in this session of the Parliament.

He said that the committee members consulted ACC officials, who explained to them the need to amend the Act.

Speaker explained the third reading should be in the fourth session, as the committee members need time to work on the bill.